On Thursday, 12 November, Mount Carmel College, Rosewater participated in the Reconciliation Relay. The aim of the Relay is to raise awareness within the region about Reconciliation. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) students, as well as a select group of Year 8 students played host to the Kalaya Children’s Centre, Queenstown, as they transported the message sticks, beautiful artwork, and gifts from their own and other schools, to Mount Carmel.
Local Kaurna representative, Uncle Frank Wanganeen, welcomed the group to country and had a yarn about his life. This was an amazing experience for students and staff alike, joining together in the spirit of reconciliation. Together with some special guests from the City of Port Adelaide Enfield Council and Kalaya Children’s Centre, students created large Indigenous-themed chalk designs over the paved areas in the College, and displayed Indigenous bollards, created by Mount Carmel’s art students.
The next day, it was Mount Carmel’s turn to pass on the relay items to the final school at Western District Special Education Unit, Taperoo. Two Year 9 students, Jaz and Tanay, were not only fantastic ambassadors for Mount Carmel, but fantastic ambassadors for reconciliation and the ATSI community. These students also attended the closing ceremony at Enfield Community Centre, where the relay items were handed over to a local Elder, and an enjoyable afternoon of activities and a shared BBQ.
Intergenerational playgroups are truly something special — an experience that enriches the lives of both the young and the older members of our community. These playgroups are more than just a space for children to play; they are a vital platform for different generations to come together, share wisdom, and build meaningful relationships.
